This species has been reported from the Ponmudi Hills, Athirimala and Wayanad in Kerala, Kalakad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve in Tamil Nadu, and Kudremukh National Park within the Western Ghats of India. Records from Kudremukh require further investigation to confirm that they belong to this species. It has an altitudinal range of 300-1,000m asl.

Habitat and Ecology

It occurs in riparian habitats and hill streams in tropical moist evergreen and semi-evergreen forest, and may also be present in slightly degraded habitats. There is little information on its breeding biology or larval development, though breeding presumably takes place by larval development in streams.

Population

It is a locally abundant species.

Population Trend

Decreasing

Major Threats

The main threat to this species is the loss of forest habitat as a result of the harvesting of wood and timber by local people for subsistence purposes.

Conservation Actions

It has been recorded from Kudremukh National Park in Karnataka, Neyar Wildlife Sanctuary and Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, both in Kerala, and Kalakad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve in Tamil Nadu. It is included as part of ongoing studies by Biju (1997-present) and Addoor (1997-present). It is protected by national legislation.